UK VIOLENT CRIME VICTIM
CRIMINAL COMPENSATION CLAIMS

We are a specialist claims service that will deal with an application to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) on behalf of a violent crime victim on a no win no fee basis and if the application is unsuccessful, for any reason whatsoever, we will not make any charge. We are an independent company with no connection to the CICA. Our claims are completely risk free and you do not have to pay for any expenses during the course of the claim. We have a client centred approach and will focus entirely on your needs by providing vigorous and committed expert representation to ensure that you receive fair and equitable compensation for your injuries. If you would like free advice on the telephone, without obligation, just phone 0845 177 0700 or complete the contact form. If after talking to us you decide not to take matters further you are under no obligation to do so and you will not be charged for our initial advice.

Incidents of violence recorded by the police have fallen by 35% since a peak in 1995, and have remained relatively stable since 2000; however last year saw an increase of 12% which was attributed to new statistical recording techniques as opposed to a real increase in offences that had been committed. The police figures for these offences indicate that over 4% of the population experienced an incident of violence approximately half of which resulted in some injury and in 2002/03, the total number of offences involving a violent crime victim in England & Wales was 2,781,000 which included:-

• 501,000 domestic violence incidents
• 942,000 incidents where the offender was an acquaintance
• 949,000 incidents where the offender was a stranger
• 388,000 incidents of mugging

The CICA was established to administer compensation in the UK. There are certain requirements as follows

• Qualifying injuries require at least two visits to a doctor and have lasted at least 6 weeks.
• Payment is calculated by a tariff scheme in bands ranging from £1,000 to £250,000.
• Loss of earnings may be paid in certain circumstances and in cases where recovery is a lengthy process it may be possible to recover all medical expenses incurred.
• The victims behaviour before, during and after the incident are considered when the amount of any award is being assessed.
• Any application by a violent crime victim for an award of compensation must be made within two years of the assault however there are certain rare circumstances in which this two year period may be extended.
• Delay in reporting the incident to the police can preclude payment and the incident must be reported to the police at the first possible opportunity. The applicant must take all reasonable steps to inform the police, or other body or person considered by the Authority to be appropriate for the purpose in the circumstances giving rise to the injury.
• The applicant must co-operate with the police or other authority in attempting to bring the assailant to Justice and the claim will be rejected if the applicant has failed to give all reasonable assistance to the Authority or other body or person in connection with the application.
• Whether or not the victim provoked the assailant and any violent retaliation by the victim after the assault may have an effect on the amount awarded and in certain circumstances will negate an award.
• The victim’s criminal record of 'unspent' convictions , especially those involving violence, is taken into account.
• It is not necessary for there to be a conviction of the offender and it is not necessary for the perpetrator of the assault to be identified.
• If the amount awarded under the CICA tariff scheme is rejected by the applicant as insufficient then there is a right to have the award reconsidered, and thereafter a further right to take the matter to appeal.